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The best rated countertop water filter picks here are rated by certifications you can look up, not star counts: NSF/ANSI standards via NSF, IAPMO or WQA.
We compared 6 filters by their listed certifications.
Quick Answer: The Best Rated Countertop Water Filter
- Best Rated RO: AquaTru Countertop Water Purification Unit, Certified NSF/ANSI Standards
- Best Rated Faucet: PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Filter
- Best Rated Dispenser Filter: Brita Elite Replacement Water Filter, 2 Pack
- Best Rated TDS Dispenser: ZeroWater 22-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
- Best Rated Gravity: Purewell 3-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Gravity Water Filter System
- Best Rated Faucet Alternative: Brita Elite Advanced Faucet Water Filter System
The AquaTru Countertop RO Purifier tops our best rated countertop water filter list with IAPMO certification to NSF/ANSI 58 and more. The PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Filter is WQA certified for lead, and Brita Elite Replacement Filters, 2-Pack carry WQA NSF/ANSI claims.
Best Rated Countertop Water Filter Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AquaTru Countertop Water Purification Unit, Certified NSF/ANSI Standards | Best Rated RO | Countertop reverse osmosis | IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 41, 53, 58, 401, P473 | Check Price |
| PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Filter | Best Rated Faucet | Faucet-mount filter | WQA certified for lead, 100 gal per filter | Check Price |
| Brita Elite Replacement Water Filter, 2 Pack | Best Rated Dispenser Filter | Pitcher/dispenser filter | 120 gal or about 6 months each | Check Price |
| ZeroWater 22-Cup Water Filter Dispenser | Best Rated TDS Dispenser | Countertop dispenser | 5-stage ion exchange, TDS meter | Check Price |
| Purewell 3-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Gravity Water Filter System | Best Rated Gravity | Gravity countertop filter | 0.01 μm, NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 (maker claim) | Check Price |
| Brita Elite Advanced Faucet Water Filter System | Best Rated Faucet Alternative | Faucet-mount filter | Reduces 99% of lead (maker claim), 3 sprays | Check Price |
The 6 Best Rated Countertop Water Filters
Each pick below was compared on certifications, filter type, capacity, filter life and value.
AquaTru Countertop Water Purification Unit, Certified NSF/ANSI Standards
1AquaTru says its countertop RO unit is certified by IAPMO to NSF/ANSI standards 41, 53, 58, 401 and P473.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 58 and more (maker claim)
- No plumbing
- Filters last 600–1,200 gal
Cons
- Higher price class
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop reverse osmosis
- Includes: System
- Key feature: IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 41, 53, 58, 401, P473
It needs no plumbing, and AquaTru rates its filters for 600 to 1,200 gallons.
It is our certified RO pick.
PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Filter
2PUR Plus is a faucet-mount filter that PUR says is WQA certified to reduce lead and NSF certified for microplastics and chlorine.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- WQA certified to reduce lead (maker claim)
- Change light
- Tool-free install
Cons
- Not for pull-out faucets
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Faucet-mount filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: WQA certified for lead, 100 gal per filter
Each filter lasts up to 100 gallons or about 3 months, with a change light.
It is our faucet-mount pick.
Brita Elite Replacement Water Filter, 2 Pack
3Brita Elite filters are WQA NSF/ANSI certified to reduce 99% of lead, microplastics and chlorine, according to Brita.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Certified to reduce 99% of lead (maker claim)
- Lasts about 6 months
- Fits Brita pitchers and dispensers
Cons
- Slower flow than standard
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Pitcher/dispenser filter
- Includes: 2 filters
- Key feature: 120 gal or about 6 months each
Each lasts 120 gallons or about 6 months.
It is our dispenser replacement pick.
Check Brita Elite Replacement Filters, 2-Pack Price on Amazon
ZeroWater 22-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
4ZeroWater’s 22-cup dispenser uses a 5-stage ion exchange filter and includes a TDS meter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Removes virtually all TDS (maker claim)
- IAPMO certified for lead and PFOA/PFOS
- TDS meter included
Cons
- Filters can wear out fast in high-TDS water
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop dispenser
- Includes: Dispenser + filter
- Key feature: 5-stage ion exchange, TDS meter
ZeroWater says the filter is IAPMO certified to reduce PFOA/PFOS, lead, chromium and mercury.
It is our dispenser pick.
Purewell 3-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Gravity Water Filter System
5Purewell’s 3-stage gravity system lists a 0.01-micron filter pore size and NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 certification for its carbon filter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 0.01 micron pore size (maker claim)
- 304 stainless steel
- No electricity
Cons
- Takes counter space
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Gravity countertop filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: 0.01 μm, NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 (maker claim)
It uses 304 stainless steel and needs no power.
It is our value gravity pick.
Brita Elite Advanced Faucet Water Filter System
6Brita’s Elite Advanced faucet filter uses a carbon block that Brita says reduces 99% of lead and 60+ contaminants.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Carbon-block filter
- Filter indicator
- Three spray options
Cons
- Not for pull-out faucets
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Faucet-mount filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: Reduces 99% of lead (maker claim), 3 sprays
It has three spray options and a filter indicator.
It is a strong faucet alternative.
How We Chose the Best Rated Countertop Water Filter
To choose the best rated countertop water filter, we compared popular gravity, countertop reverse osmosis, faucet-mount, dispenser and pitcher filters on Amazon by certifications, stages, capacity and owner feedback.
CDC says to test your water, check NSF certifications and change filters as the maker recommends; see the CDC guide to choosing home water filters.
Product details in this guide are based on manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: What the Ratings Mean
Keep these points in mind before you buy.
Read the NSF standards
CDC suggests looking for NSF certification on the label: Standard 42 covers taste and odor, 53 cyst reduction, 58 reverse osmosis and 62 distillation.
Who certifies filters
NSF, IAPMO and WQA all certify filters to NSF/ANSI standards; the label should name the standard and the contaminants.
Most filters do not remove germs
CDC notes most home filters, like pitchers, use carbon for taste or metals like lead and are not designed to remove germs; reverse osmosis removes germs and some chemicals.
Rating Check Tips
Verify before you buy:
- Find the standard number.
- Check the contaminant list.
- Look it up in the database.
- Match it to your water test.
Quick answers about the best rated countertop water filter.
- Standard number
- Contaminant list
- Database lookup
- Match your test
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rated countertop water filter?
The best rated countertop water filter picks are AquaTru for certified RO, PUR Plus for a certified faucet filter and Brita Elite for dispensers.
What is NSF 58?
The NSF standard for reverse osmosis, per CDC.
What is NSF 42?
Taste and odor, per CDC.
Are star ratings reliable?
We use certifications instead.
Where can I check?
CDC points to the NSF database.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best rated countertop water filter is the AquaTru Countertop RO Purifier. Choose the PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Filter if you want WQA certified for lead, or the Brita Elite Replacement Filters, 2-Pack as carrying WQA NSF/ANSI claims.
Related Guides
More water filter guides:
- Best Countertop Water Filter
- Best Countertop Water Filter Replacement Filter
- Best Quality Countertop Water Filter
- Best Refrigerator Organizer Replacement Filter
- Best Vacuum Food Containers
Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
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